Hydromassaging device



May 29, 1956 c. A. FORTlN HYDROMASSAGING DEVICE Filed Nov. 1, 1954['kark's' Wit/MZZ/flt United States Patent Brunei. .ssaonsu usvrcnCharles Aim Fortin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor of ninety percent to Fan! Pouliot, lviontreai, Quebec, Canada Application November 1,1954, Serial No. 466,176

2 Claims. (Cl. 12866) The present invention pert ins to a novelhydromassaging device for various parts of the human body.

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a device thatcan be used by an individual without the assistance of a nurse of aprofessional operator. Another object is to provide such a device thatfurnishes a vibratory flow of water to enhance the massage action.

A further object is to provide such a device that furnishes laterallydirected jets as well as axial jets of water, if desired. Still anotherobject is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive device for thepurposes set forth.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the device includes a cupmounted on a tubular handle that also serves as the water outlet. In theend of the handle at the cup is supported a valve body with a porteddome end in the cup. A valve plug, or a slide valve, controls flowthrough the ported end and is operated by an electric automaticvibrating device as described in detail below.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the device;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of modification;

Figure 3 is a perspective view; and

Figure 4 is a cross section of the device shown in Figure 2.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characterswhich are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 is shown a tube 1 that serves as a handle and also as awater outlet. Mounted thereon at one end is a bell cup 2, of rubber orother pliable material, to be applied to the face or other area to betreated.

Near the same end of the tube 1 is secured a laterally extending housing3 containing a pair of electromagnets 4 supplied with conductors 5 and 6attached respectively to the housing 3 and the magnets 4. The armatureis a blade 7 having one end supported by a spring 7' in the outer end ofhousing 3 and the other end received in the tube 1 after passing looselythrough a slot 8 in the tube. The armature carries a contact 9engageable with a bare contact 10 on the conductor 5 to constitute acircuit breaker. When the contacts engage each other, the magnet circuitis closed and the armature is attached. Immediately, the contacts 9 and10 are separated to open the circuit and permit the spring blade 7 tobring the contacts again into engagement with each other. The blade 7 isthereby maintained automatically in vibration, as in the case of a bellor buzzer.

In the upper end of tube 1 is secured a dome-like valve body 11extending slightly into the cup 2. The body is supported at one point bya boss 12 and a screw 13 in the wall of the tube 1. At an oppositepoint, a nipple 14 extends from the body through the ice tube,communicating with the body and having its outer end threaded at 15 forattachment of a water pipe 15'.

"the bottom of the body 11 is closed by a plate 16 through which passesa stem 17 mounted on the free end of the spring blade 7. The upper endof the stem carries a spherical valve plug 13 adapted to seat againstapertures 19 in the dome portion of the body 11.

In the operation of the device, the cup 2 is applied to the treated areaand, with the current on, the blade 7 is vibrated in the manner alreadyindicated. The valve plug 13 is thereby vibrated to and from the ports19 to provide an intermittent flow of water through the latter. Thewater drains off through the annular space 2% around the body 11. A seal8' covers the opening 8 and is tight on the blade 7.

In the modification shown in Figure 2, the tube 21 and cup 22 areassembled as already described. The housing 23 is mounted lengthwise ofthe tube and contains magnets 24 one over the other. The armature 25'also lies lengthwise, with a portion 26 extending radially through aslot 27 in the tube 2.1. Conductors 28 and 29 extend to the housing andmagnets, as above described, and the blade 25 carries a circuit controlcontact 30 adapted to engage a bare contact 31 on conductor 29.

A dome-like valve 32 is mounted in the upper end of tube 21 and isformed with ports 33 in its dome portion within the cup 22. An inletnipple 3 extends from the body 32 through the tube 21. A stem 35 securedto the free end of portion 26 passes through a resilient bottom closureas of the body 32 and carries at its upper end a slide valve 37 formedwith slots 38. Valve 32 is supported concentrically in tube 21 by a boss39 and a screw 40 in the wall of the tube 21.

The vibration of the armature 25 induces a swinging motion of the slidevalve 37. Thus, at times, the slots 38 are in partial register with theports 33, to impart a lateral or angular direction to the jets of water.In full register the jets are nearly axial. The combination of bothforms of jet is more effective and is preferred by many users.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various alterations in the detailsof construction may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A hydromassaging device comprising a tube, a cup at one end thereof,a valve body secured in said tube and having a ported domed end at thethroat of said cup, a water inlet to said body, said body being spacedfrom the wall of said tube to provide a water outlet, a slotted slidevalve in said body at said ported end, and an electric vibratorconnected to said valve and adapted to slide it over said end.

2. A hydromassaging device comprising a tube, a cup at one end thereof,a valve body secured in said tube and having a ported domed end at thethroat of said cup, 21 water inlet to said body, said body being spacedfrom the wall of said tube to provide a water outlet, a slotted slidevalve in said body at said ported end, and an electric vibratorconnected to said valve and adapted to slide it over said end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,101,804 Lauter June 30, 1914 2,300,605 Wilcox Nov. 3, 1942 2,682,868Fortin July 6, 1954

